Buying Instagram followers has become a common strategy for quickly growing a social media presence. However, without the right precautions, you could put your Instagram account at risk. From hacks to account suspension, failing to protect your account during this process can lead to significant problems. This guide will walk you through all the steps necessary to protect your Instagram account when buying followers, ensuring your growth remains safe, secure, and sustainable.
How to Secure Your Instagram Account with Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
One of the most effective ways to secure your Instagram account is by enabling two-factor authentication (2FA). This security measure adds an extra layer of protection, making it much harder for hackers to gain unauthorized access to your account.
What is Two-Factor Authentication?
Two-factor authentication (2FA) requires you to verify your identity using two forms of authentication before accessing your account. In most cases, you’ll need your password and a code sent to your phone or email. This ensures that even if someone manages to get hold of your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the second authentication factor.
How to Enable Two-Factor Authentication on Instagram
Setting up 2FA on Instagram is easy:
- Open your Instagram app and go to your profile.
- Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner and select Settings.
- Select Security.
- Choose Two-Factor Authentication.
- Tap Get Started, then choose your preferred security method (Text Message or Authentication App).
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process.
Why 2FA is Crucial
Two-factor authentication protects your Instagram account from unauthorized access by making it more secure. Even if a hacker manages to steal your password, they won’t be able to log in without the secondary code. This is especially important when you’re buying followers, as sharing your Instagram handle might expose your account to potential vulnerabilities.
Enabling 2FA is a simple but effective way to secure your account during the follower-buying process.
Avoid Sharing Your Instagram Password: Critical Security Tip
Another crucial step to protecting your Instagram account is to never share your password with anyone. No legitimate service should ever ask for your password when you’re buying followers.
Why You Should Never Share Your Password
Sharing your password can lead to several serious risks:
- Hacking and Unauthorized Access: If someone gets hold of your password, they can take over your account, post inappropriate content, delete posts, or steal your personal information.
- Data Breaches: Your password could be stored in an unsecured database or transmitted over an unprotected connection, leading to data breaches.
- Permanent Account Loss: In worst-case scenarios, your account could be deleted or permanently locked if it’s compromised.
Trusted Services Don’t Need Your Password
Reputable follower providers, like Skweezer, will never ask for your Instagram password. All they need is your Instagram handle to deliver the followers to your account. If a service asks for your password, it’s a significant red flag, and you should avoid using them.
What to Do If You’ve Already Shared Your Password
If you’ve accidentally shared your Instagram password with a service, take these steps immediately:
- Change your Instagram password right away.
- Enable two-factor authentication (if not already done).
- Check your account activity for any unusual logins or behavior.
- Revoke access to any unauthorized third-party apps or services (covered later in this guide).
By keeping your password secure and using services that only require your Instagram handle, you can protect your account from potential hacks and breaches.
Buy Instagram Followers Gradually to Avoid Detection
When buying followers, the growth of your account should look natural to avoid drawing attention from Instagram’s algorithm. One of the biggest mistakes users make is purchasing a large number of followers in one go, which can lead to being flagged or even suspended.
Why Gradual Growth is Important
Instagram monitors user activity to detect unusual patterns, such as sudden spikes in follower counts. If you buy thousands of followers all at once, Instagram may see this as a suspicious action and could:
- Reduce your account’s visibility: Your posts may stop appearing in hashtags or on your followers’ feeds.
- Flag your account for review: This could lead to account suspension or even a ban.
Gradual follower growth mimics organic user behavior, reducing the chances that Instagram’s algorithm will flag your account.
The Benefits of Gradual Follower Purchases
Buying followers gradually has several advantages:
- Lower Risk of Detection: When you increase your followers incrementally, it appears more natural to Instagram’s algorithm.
- Improved Engagement: Gradually adding followers gives you time to build relationships and engage with new followers, which leads to better long-term growth.
- Sustainable Growth: Slow, steady growth looks more credible and helps maintain a healthy account over time.
How to Implement Gradual Follower Purchases
To implement gradual follower purchases:
- Spread out your purchases over several weeks or months.
- Start by buying smaller batches of followers and increase the number over time.
- Use services like Skweezer, which offer gradual delivery options to ensure safe and natural follower growth.
By taking a slow and steady approach, you reduce the risk of Instagram flagging your account while still boosting your follower count.
Monitor Account Activity for Unusual Behavior
Keeping an eye on your Instagram account activity is another important part of maintaining its security. Monitoring your account can help you detect unauthorized access or suspicious behavior before it becomes a bigger issue.
Stay Aware of Suspicious Activity
Regularly check your account for unusual activity, such as:
- Unrecognized logins: Check for login attempts from unfamiliar devices or locations.
- Changes in account settings: Look for any unauthorized changes to your profile, email address, or password.
- Unusual posts or messages: Make sure that no one is posting on your behalf or sending suspicious direct messages.
How to View Your Account Activity on Instagram
Here’s how to monitor your Instagram activity:
- Open the Instagram app and go to Settings.
- Tap Security.
- Under Login Activity, you’ll see all the devices that have accessed your account, along with their locations.
What to Do If You Notice Suspicious Activity
If you find any activity that seems suspicious, take the following steps immediately:
- Change your password: Make sure your new password is strong and unique.
- Revoke access to unauthorized devices: Log out of any unfamiliar devices via the Login Activity page.
- Enable two-factor authentication: If you haven’t already, turn on 2FA to add another layer of security.
- Contact Instagram support: If your account has been compromised, report the issue to Instagram to get help restoring it.
Monitoring your account regularly allows you to act quickly if any suspicious behavior occurs.
Use Only Trusted Instagram Follower Providers
Not all follower providers are created equal, and using an untrustworthy service can lead to serious issues, including account suspension or security breaches. Always ensure you’re using a trusted, secure provider when buying Instagram followers.
How to Identify Trusted Providers
To make sure the provider you’re using is reputable, look for these signs:
- SSL Encryption: Make sure the provider’s website uses SSL encryption (indicated by “https” in the URL) to protect your data.
- Verified Reviews: Check for real, verifiable customer reviews. Look for reviews on trusted third-party platforms like Trustpilot or Google Reviews.
- Clear Terms of Service: Ensure the provider has clear policies regarding refunds, delivery times, and the types of followers they offer (real vs. bots).
- Secure Payment Methods: Only use providers that offer secure payment options like PayPal or major credit cards. Avoid those that only accept cryptocurrency or direct transfers, as these methods are harder to trace in case of disputes.
Risks of Using Unreliable Providers
Using untrustworthy providers can expose you to several risks:
- Fake or bot followers: These can lead to account suspensions and damage your credibility.
- Data breaches: Your personal or payment information could be compromised if the provider’s website is not secure.
- Account suspension: Instagram may flag or suspend your account if they detect fake followers or unusual activity.
Examples of Trusted Providers
Skweezer is a trusted provider that offers secure transactions, real followers, and transparent policies, ensuring your Instagram account remains safe throughout the process.
Regularly Update Your Instagram Password and App
Keeping your Instagram password and app up to date is a simple yet effective way to maintain your account’s security.
Why You Should Update Your Password Regularly
Regularly changing your password reduces the risk of hacking, especially if your password has been used on multiple platforms. It’s a good practice to update your password every few months, particularly if you’ve bought followers or connected your Instagram account to third-party apps.
Tips for Creating a Strong Password
A strong password should:
- Be at least 12 characters long.
- Include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Avoid using easily guessed information (e.g., birthdates or common words).
Using a password manager is a great way to generate and store secure passwords without needing to remember them all.
Keep Your Instagram App Updated
Instagram regularly releases updates that include security patches and bug fixes. Make sure your app is always up to date to take advantage of the latest security features. Set your device to update apps automatically, so you don’t miss any important updates.
Protect Your Instagram Account from Suspicious Third-Party Apps
Third-party apps can offer helpful Instagram management tools, but they can also pose security risks if not properly vetted.
Why Third-Party Apps Can Be Dangerous
Connecting your Instagram account to unauthorized or suspicious third-party apps can expose your account to:
- Data breaches: These apps may collect your personal data or access your account without your knowledge.
- Account suspension: If Instagram detects that you’re using unauthorized apps, they may suspend or restrict your account.
How to Check and Revoke App Access
To protect your account, periodically review which apps are connected to your Instagram account:
- Go to Settings in your Instagram app.
- Tap Security, then select Apps and Websites.
- Here, you’ll see a list of apps that have access to your account. Revoke access to any apps you don’t recognize or no longer use.
Stick to Trusted Apps
Only use third-party apps from reputable developers that follow Instagram’s guidelines. Avoid using apps that promise to boost followers unnaturally or provide automated engagement, as these can violate Instagram’s policies and compromise your account security.
Conclusion
Protecting your Instagram account when buying followers is crucial to ensuring your account stays secure and sustainable in the long term. By enabling two-factor authentication, avoiding password sharing, purchasing followers gradually, and using trusted providers like Skweezer, you can safely grow your account while minimizing risks.
Following the steps outlined in this guide will help you protect your Instagram account from hacking, data breaches, and potential suspensions, allowing you to focus on building your online presence with confidence.
You may also like:
- How to Blend Bought Instagram Followers with Organic Growth Methods: A Comprehensive Guide
- Legal Consequences of Violating Instagram’s Fake Followers Policy
- How to Explain a Sudden Increase in Followers to Your Instagram Audience
- Why Do I Keep Losing Instagram Followers? Top Reasons and How to Fix Them